This is a list of events and what time they generally should begin. I’ve also added the level of formality, or if they are traditionally women only or separate sex.
Breakfast 7-11am / Informal
Formal Breakfast 8-11am / Formal
Hunt / Sport Breakfast 11am – 12pm / Informal to Formal
Elevenses or Coffee 11am-12pm / Casual
Brunch 9am-2pm / Informal
Party Brunch 11an – 2pm / Informal to Semi-Formal / Often Women Only
Lunch 12-3pm / Casual to Informal
Bar-b-q 12 noon to 5pm / Casual to Informal
Luncheon 1-3pm / Semi-Formal / Women Only
Club Luncheon 2-4pm / Business Attire to semi-formal when the buffet and dessert are served separately / Usually Separate Sexes
Afternoon Social 2-5pm / Informal
Formal Luncheon 2-5pm / Formal / Mainly Women Only, but may have a male guest of honor
Picnic Anytime in the afternoon or early evening / Casual to Informal, unless it’s Fancy Dress
Tea 4pm / Casual to Informal / Traditionally was women only though exceptions could be made
Chocolataire 4-5pm / Informal to Semi-Formal
5 O’Clock Tea 5pm / Semi-Formal
Tea Dance 5pm / Semi-Formal
Supper 5pm / Informal
Kitchen Supper 6pm / Casual
Dinner Party 7-9pm / Informal to semi-formal
Dinner Dance 7-9pm. / Semi-Formal
Semi-Formal Dinner 8-8:30pm / Semi-Formal
Formal Dinner 8-9pm / Formal
Cocktails 5-9pm. / casual to semi-formal
Cocktail Buffet 6-8pm / Seni-Formal
Cocktail Reception 7-10pm / Business or Semi-Formal
Ball 8pm for the 20th Century or 10pm for the 19th* / Formal
Dance Party. 9-11pm / Informal to Semi-Formal
Dessert Party 8pm – 10pm / Casual to Semi-Formal
After Entertainment Dessert 8pm – Midnight / Informal to Semi-Formal
Night Cap 11pm – 2am / Informal
*The Complete Bachelor, 1896
